Page 42 of Not Your Basic Love Story

Miranda and I stayed up late catching up and watching TV. Before she was married, she would have slept over on my couch, but I guess she and Derek had plans because she was out of my condo by eleven o’clock.

Thankfully, the wine put me right to sleep, and I didn’t ruminate on the ominous text from Graham. The next morning, though, it was all I could think about. I went through my usual routine in a fog of hangover and confusion. My palms itched to unblock Graham and message him back, to at least know why he’d messaged me. Having the question hanging over my head was too much. Miranda was right, though. I owed him nothing. I’d moved on, as he’d apparently done months before our relationship even ended.

By dinnertime, Dev still hadn’t messaged me. He hadn’t called or texted since dropping me off. This much radio silence was completely unlike him and further cemented the idea that my parents had ruined the good thing we’d had going. One second we were making love and exchanging “I Love You’s.” The next, he was running away as fast as possible to avoid joining my ridiculous family. He was probably afraid I’d eventually become my mother.

That night as I settled down in front of the TV, finishing off the last of the bottle of wine I’d opened with Miranda, I held my phone in my hands. My fingers moved between Graham’s contact and Dev’s.

Sitting idle and waiting for things to happen was not my strong suit. My entire life, I’d chased after what I wanted, made plans, set goals. Now, nearing thirty, that wasn’t about to change. Then, I realized, why not do both? I could inquire as to what Graham wanted from meandmessage Dev. It wasn’t like I was cheating on Dev or anything. What if Graham had left some important item at my place and only now realized it?

That explanation sounded false even to my own inner monologue.

Ah, what the hell.

I unblocked Graham and messaged him back, doing my best to channel some of the righteous anger Miranda had impressed upon me the previous night. ‘What do you want?’

Send. Ha. There. Take that.

Then, to Dev. ‘Hey babe. Haven’t heard from you… Everything ok between us? I’m sorry for how my mom behaved at the restaurant. We should have just gone home.’

I sat back and waited, a rerun of Friends on in the background. I was interrupted mid-sip with two dings, mere seconds apart.

Graham: ‘was just thinking of u. u doing ok?’

Dev: ‘Sorry love. Been busy with family and work stuff. Don’t worry about it. My family can be difficult too.’

Holy hell. What had I done?

Me to Graham: ‘I’m doing great. Is there a reason you’re messaging me, or???’

Me to Dev: ‘Are you still thinking of introducing me to your family soon?’

So much for letting Dev take the lead in our relationship. There was a long pause in both text conversations, bubbles appearing and disappearing many times. The suspense was killing me! I needed to bring in an expert.

I texted Angelina. ‘I fucked up. Graham messaged me and I replied and now he’s texting me and so is Dev. What do I do?’

She responded immediately. ‘y would u text him back?’

Me: ‘I just needed to know what he wanted.’

Angelina: ‘what does he want?’

Me: ‘I think he misses me???’

Angelina: ‘well fuck him.’

Me: ‘what?’

Angelina: ‘no no no i mean like he can go fuck himself’ Followed by several laugh emojis.

Graham replied. ‘just been thinking a lot. can we get together to talk?’

I started and stopped texting a couple times, wondering how to respond.

Dev replied. ‘Of course! This coming weekend still work for you?’

I texted back. ‘This weekend works for me!’

Only after I sent it did I realize my error. It had gone to Graham, not Dev. I nearly spilled wine all over myself in shock. I set the glass down before continuing, apparently needing the use of both my thumbs.

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